The U.S. hog inventory on June 1, 2017, was at the highest level since USDA began estimates in 1964.

The market hog inventory was at the highest June 1 level since estimates began in 1964.

The March-May 2017 pig crop was the second largest March-May pig crop since estimates began in 1970.

The average pigs saved per litter was a record high 10.55 for the March-May period, compared to 10.48 last year.

U.S. inventory of all hogs and pigs was 71.7 million head, up 3% from June 1, 2016, and up 1% from March 1, 2017.

Breeding hog inventory was up 2% from last year at 6.07 million head and up slightly from the last quarter.

Market hog inventory, at 65.6 million head, was up 4% from last year, and up 1% from last quarter.

The March-May 2017 pig crop, at 32.3 million head, was up 4% from 2016.

Sows farrowed from March through May totaled 3.06 million head, up 3% from 2016. The sows farrowed during this quarter represented 50% of the breeding herd. Pigs saved per litter by size of operation ranged from 7.70 for operations with 1-99 hogs and pigs to 10.60 for operations with more than 5,000 hogs and pigs.

U.S. hog producers intend to have 3.06 million sows farrow during the June-August 2017 quarter, up slightly from the actual farrowings during the same period in 2016, and up 2% from 2015.

Intended farrowings for September-November 2017, at 3.06 million sows, are up slightly from 2016, and up 4% from 2015.

The total number of hogs under contract owned by operations with over 5,000 head, but raised by contractees, accounted for 48% of the total United States hog inventory, up from 47% the previous year.

All inventory and pig crop estimates for June 2016 through March 2017 were reviewed using final pig crop, official slaughter, death loss, and updated import and export data.

The net revision made to the December 2016 all hogs and pigs inventory was 0.03%.

A revision of 0.1% was made to the September-November 2016 pig crop.

A revision of 0.1% was made to the March 2017 all hogs and pigs inventory.